The Telangana High Court has issued an interim order prohibiting private individuals from excavating soil from Pedda Cheruvu in Chintapalli Mandal, Nalgonda district, for brick-making purposes. Justice B Vijaysen Reddy passed the directions while hearing a petition filed by Natwa Giridhar from Chintapalli, who challenged the permission granted to private individuals to transport 10,000 metric tonnes of soil from the 10-hectare lake.
Petitioner's Arguments
The petitioner's counsel argued that the government is constructing the Chintapalli reservoir under the Dindi reservoir project and is acquiring 1,600 acres, including the petitioner’s land. The counsel stated that the soil from the tanks could be used for reservoir construction, but contrary to regulations, permission was granted in April to private individuals Nakka Vijayendra Reddy and Yerra Koteswara Rao for commercial purposes such as brick-making. This permission was given by the additional director of the groundwater department and the gram panchayat.
Alleged Violations
The counsel alleged that this action violates mining department regulations and a 2015 government order. Despite submitting representations to officials, no action was taken against the illegal excavation.
Court's Directions
The judge issued notices to the respondents, including the principal secretary of the state mining department, director, deputy director, additional director, principal secretaries of revenue and irrigation departments, district collector, RDO, tahsildar, and private individuals Vijayendra Reddy and Y Koteswara Rao. The court directed them to file counters with complete details on the soil removal. The matter has been adjourned to July 1 for further hearing.
